DEVICE FOR ADMINISTERING SOUND WAVES AND/OR A MAGNETIC FIELD TO A PATIENT

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for administering sound waves and/or at least one magnetic field to a patient, comprising a housing (1) in which are accommodated a source for generating low-frequency sound waves, at least one source for generating a magnetic field and means for adjusting the frequency of the sound waves. The source for generating the sound waves is preferably formed by a speaker (3) and the source for generating a magnetic field by a coil (5). The housing consists for instance of a tube open on one side for passage of the sound waves and/or the magnetic field, wherein the means for concentrating the sound waves and/or the magnetic field are formed by a cover of the open side of the tube, which cover is provided with an aperture.

Description: DEVICE FOR ADMINISTERING SOUND WAVES AND/OR A MAGNETIC FIELD TO A PATIENT The invention relates to a device for administering sound waves and/or a magnetic field to a patient. Diverse such devices have already been described. These combine only a permanent magnetic field with ultra- sonics. It has -now been found however that with low-frequen¬ cy sound waves better results are obtained in treating poor blood circulation and/or in relieving pain. It is known that magnetic fields have a beneficial effect on bones, joints and muscles. The present invention provides a device with produces the positive results of adminis¬ tering the sound waves, optionally in combination with the therapeutic effect of a magnetic field. This is achieved by a device comprising a housing in which are accommodated a source for generating low-frequency sound waves, at least one source for generating a magnetic field and means for adjusting the frequency of the sound waves. The source for generating the sound waves is prefer- ably formed by a speaker. The dimensions of the -speaker, in addition to the frequency generated thereby, can be varied depending on the situation. In preference sound waves of a frequency between 10 and 180 Hertz are ap¬ plied. The most used frequency varies however between 145 and 155 Hertz. The sound wave is preferably a sinus wave which is generated via a memory element. In a preferred embodiment of the invention the frequency of the wave varies within a range of a number of Hertz above and below the central frequency. The frequency preferably fluctuates between 5 Hertz above the central frequency and 5 Hertz below the central frequen¬ cy. This is particularly advantageous because it has been found that use of a fixed, non-varying frequency results in habituation of a patient. Variation in the frequency can prevent this habituation. The frequency of the magnetic field preferably lies between 1 and 25 Hertz at a field strength of 1 to 15 mT in the middle of the coil. The associated coil preferably has 200 turns of 1 mm 2 . Optimum operation of the device is achieved when both the sound waves and the magnetic field are adminis¬ tered to the body in controlled manner. This can be achieved by propagating the sound waves and the magnetic field through a small aperture in the housing of the device. No sound waves and/or magnetic field is hereby lost. The device according to the invention can take diverse forms of appearance. It is first of all possible to accommodate the sound source in a tubular housing which is easy to handle and can be placed on any desired location of the body for treating. In such a device the coil is arranged at the outlet for the sound waves. Preferably situated over the coil is a rubber ring for concentrating both the magnetic field and the sound waves. The housing is preferably embodied in 3 mm-thick aluminium. This is important with respect to the sturdi- ness of the housing, since the housing itself may not vibrate along with the sound waves. In another embodiment the device comprises a box in which the speaker is arranged. This box is again provided with a reduced-size aperture for passage of the sound waves and/or the magnetic field. In a particular embodi¬ ment of the invention two apertures are arranged for passage of the sound waves and/or the magnetic field which preferably have the form of a human foot. The applying of the sound waves and/or the magnetic field to the feet of the patient has the advantage that in this manner the whole body can be reached by means of the sound waves. The device according to the invention can likewise be used under water. The patient is in this case placed for instance in a bath while sound waves and/or a magnet¬ ic field are likewise administered to him under water using the device. Administering can take place on the feet but also on any other desired location on the body. The present invention will be further elucidated with reference to the annexed drawings, in which: figure 1 shows a partly broken away perspective view of a tubular device according to the invention which can be held in the hand; figure 2 shows a partly broken away perspective view of a larger non-portable embodiment of the present inven¬ tion; and figure 3 is a partly broken away perspective view of a third embodiment of the device according to the inven¬ tion. Figure 1 shows a tubular housing 1 which is provided in this case with a constriction 2 whereby manipulation of the device is facilitated. Received in the housing is a speaker 3 for generating sound waves which leave the housing via an aperture 4. Arranged round aperture 4 is a coil 5 for generating, if desired, a magnetic field. Over the coil is situated a ring, for instance made of rubber, for concentrating the sound waves as well as the magnetic field. Figure 2 shows another embodiment of the invention in which at a distance from the aperture 4 a speaker 3 is arranged in a housing 7, made for example of wood. The wooden housing also serves as acoustic box. Similarly to figure 1 the coil 5, which is covered by means of rubber ring 6, is situated here round aperture 4. The most comprehensive embodiment is shown in figure 3. Two speakers 3 are arranged in a housing 8. It is also possible to use only one large speaker. The rubber rings in this case have recesses in the form of a foot. A coil is also arranged under the rubber rings 9. By means of the present invention it becomes possi¬ ble to administer low-frequency sound waves and a magnet¬ ic field to a patient simultaneously or independently of each other. The frequency of the sound waves and the magnetic field and the duration of the treatment are both adjustable. In preference however, only a number of possible combinations of frequency and treatment duration are possible in portable embodiments of the invention in order to prevent the patient being subjected to an irre¬ sponsibly large dose of sound waves and/or magnetic field. *****

Claims: CLAIMS 1. Device for administering sound waves and/or at least one magnetic field to a patient, comprising a housing in which are accommodated a source for generating low-frequency sound waves, at least one source for gener- ating a magnetic field and means for adjusting the fre¬ quency of the sound waves. 2. Device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the source for generating the sound waves is formed by a speaker. 3. Device as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the source for generating a magnetic field is formed by a coil. 4. Device as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, further comprising means for concentrating the sound waves. 5. Device as claimed in any of the claims 1-4, characterized in that the housing consists of a tube open on one side for passage of the sound waves and/or the magnetic field, wherein the means for concentrating the sound waves and/or the magnetic field are formed by a cover of the open side of the tube, which cover is pro¬ vided with an aperture. 6. Device as claimed in any of the claims 1-4, characterized in that the housing is formed by a box, on one side of which at least one recess is arranged for passage of sound waves and/or the magnetic field and for placing therein at least one foot of the patient. 7. Use of the device as claimed in any of the claims 1-6, for administering sound waves and/or at least one magnetic field to a patient. 8. Use of the device as claimed in any of the claims 1-6, for underwater administering of sound waves and/or at least one magnetic field to a patient. *****

Inventors: DE VISSER LENA, DE VISSER, LENA
Applicants: VISSER LENA DE, DE VISSER, LENA
Application year: 1994
Main classification: A61N2
IPC codes: A61M21, A61N2